So I guess we’ll get the obvious questions out of the way first.
hehe ok
How old are you and where do you live Abeer?
I am 29, living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
What do you think about where you live? Do you like it? Would you live somewhere else if given the chance?
Well… First of all I live in Dubai "The City of Gold"
its in United Arab Emirates... and am proud to be one of the citizens...
So what do you like most about Dubai?
Everything ... lots of shopping ... entertainment and standard of iving is good here ... there is no Taxes and no crime
No crime? That's kind of hard to believe. Why is that? We have so much crime here in the US.
As what I know in US there is crime everyday here its maybe once in a month
That's amazing. Why is that do you think?
Because our country is offering us lots of luxury life... for example each citizen get land for free... free education and hospitals we do not need to pay money... they help us to get married like they give specific amount for the couples to do the wedding party... etc lots of things
Wow... Sounds like a wonderful place, makes me want to visit. Like we didn't already know that.
So on the old Artalyst your user name was Abeer, on the new site you changed to Bin Jarsh. What's the significance of that?
My name is Abeer Bin Jarsh I used to use Abeer only and then I change it to my family name cuz I found out that Abeer in India means a man name so I had to change it.
I remember when we all assumed you were a man. That was a rather humorous day when we found out different.
Yah I did not know that I have to mention that am a girl because we do know how to differentiate between names
I think it's a difference between out cultures that many of us did not realize you were a woman.
I think it depends on the media, we do watch lots of American movies
So tell me what you like about Artalyst.
I do like the mentality of people in Artalyst they are not stuck in old photography like the other websites and I meet lots of friends here
It is an interesting mix of artists and photographers isn't it?
Yah
Well I have admired the images you have shown us over the past year or so. You always seem to be coming up with new ways of presenting your images. What would you say your favorite subject is?
If you noticed my portfolio I started with landscaping, then macro, after that I went to India and started street photography... I started to dive so I bought my small camera for underwater photography, now I concentrate on mysterious pictures, if that what I can call it
Indeed, you have become this mystery to many of us... I think you play with us. Showing us images but not saying much.
I think this is part of my personality am quite person
Well I for one appreciate it. I consider it quite an honor to call you friend.
Thank you... am glad to have a friend like you
Thank you... So tell me when did you start taking pictures?
I bought my first camera at 2003, when my best friend decided to go to take one course in photography then I started taking some pictures, and I really enjoyed it
Well in the past year I think we have really seen a huge improvement in your skills. But you must have been an artist before you ever picked up a camera?
When I was kid I won the first medal for drawing in the gulf countries and then when I was 15 years old I won the golden medal in engraving in the stone
Then I stopped my hobbies for study
That would explain your abilities in design and composition. I guess one of the most obvious questions would be what kind of camera do you use?
First I owned Nikon Coolpix 5700, then I bought my Fuji S 700 for underwater photography... now I have my E 300 with three lenses and some filters... and this was given to me by a friend as a gift
Lucky you. You've really been pushing yourself in Photoshop, trying new things. How is it that you decide to try certain things?
Hmm one of my friends use the Photoshop a lot her name is Hessa we went out once for a breakfast and both of us had our laptops with us she started teaching me how to use Photoshop I found that Photoshop enhance picture and I do really like the new photography style (digital photos)
I know what you mean. I really like the "The
5 maskatiers" image you created. A lot of us have emulated the border style since you introduced it to us. Of the images you have on Artalyst, which is your favorite?
U mean the photographers in Artalyst?
Yes
I think all of them zee .. you .. Rebecca .. kev .. dex ,, sls ,, kc all of them
Oh, oops, what I meant was your images? Which is your favorite?
ahaa mine
Till now I do not have a fav one ... I think I need some more improvement in my skills
I know that's really a trick question for an artist. I know my favorite changes as I go. Where do you think you'll take your photography? In what direction?
I do not use photography as a way to earn money ... my dream is to do my mini photography book of my journeys
Ah that would be fun. Let me know what I can do to help you and I'd be glad to do it. I really love the way you take pictures of flowers. It's so intimate and up close. Do plan on continuing that and refining your style with them?
Yah I do ... I started this style when I met one of the photographers in the other websites I kept studying her picture for more than one month to know the technique of the picture ... then I added my own touch in Photoshop.
Well I'm glad you're going to continue, I think they are beautiful. So I know you love to travel. Where do you want to go next to take pictures?
Am traveling next week to Malaysia to take some picture am gonna stay there for 7 nights only
Nice, I am looking forward to seeing what you bring back. Does that mean we aren't going see you around for a whole week?
I think yaah but I’ll come back with lots of pictures
Well I'm going to miss you, that's for sure.
Thanks
So are there any artists or photographers, famous or not, that have been a huge influence on you and your photographic work?
Hmm yah I guess many of people who I meet in the websites
Lucky us... so I think that is about it, I sure do appreciate your taking the time to chat and let all of us here at Artalyst get to know a bit more about you Abeer.
U welcome any time
So in closing, is there anything you would like to say to all of us? Or maybe to new people here on Artalyst?
Yah I would first to thanks you for this lovely interview
Well it's been a pleasure for sure, I have really enjoyed it.
And then thanks zee for his website which made us meet other photographers and learn from them
For the new joiners keep posting am still in the process of learning.
